I find opinions in both sides of the fence.....If I’m not using a decorative strip on the center joint of the back of my guitar, do I need a reinforcing strip on the in inside?

Please share your thoughts......

I put it in. Whether you do depends on how much you trust the glue joint and the braces to keep the two halves from parting company. (I also put small diamonds on the center join of the soundboard, between the lower braces and the tail block, for the same reason.

If it contributes to the robustness of the guitar without affecting its tone, I don't see why I shouldn't do it.

It may not be "necessary," but it sure seems like a good idea to put it in. Why would you not?

_________________Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. -- Will RogersThere are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory. - Josh BillingsAnything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

John's the expert, here. Speaking from the chorus, I think the crossgrain reinforcement is necessary. Regardless of how the two back plates intersect, either directly or separated by a decorative strip, there is a glue joint there.

Parenthetically, I've often wondered what whether there would be a negative result from using the same sort of reinforcement strip on the backside of the soundboard.

Parenthetically, I've often wondered what whether there would be a negative result from using the same sort of reinforcement strip on the backside of the soundboard.

As I noted above, I put small (ca 3 cm square) diamonds, made from scraps from the soundboard itself, on those parts of the lower bout that don't have braces real close by. Cumpiano has instructions for it in his book. The diamonds have grains that are perpendicular to that of the soundboard.

I think that the main reason for the reinforcing strip on the back is that the back usually suffers a lot more physical abuse than the soundboard (on my guitars, at least). The fretboard and strings offer a certain amount of protection, and you've got all those braces, the bridge plate, and the soundhole reinforcement as well. The soundboard cracks I've seen have rarely been on the glue seam.

I have seen several makers that add a small diamond shaped cleat or two to the top joint in the area of the lower bout that has the longest section of unsupported seam. I have done this a couple of times.

Ed

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